Government of SVG and Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre launch US$3 million project

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in collaboration with the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), launched a US$3 million project to fast-track climate action. The launch took place on November 26, 2024, in the presence of key national stakeholders from sectors such as agriculture, tourism, fisheries, forestry, economic development, environment conservation, meteorological services and others, a release from CCCCC states Project Manager at the CCCCC , Earl Green emphasised the importance of the project towards strengthening SVG’s capacity to implement actions that improve climate adaptation. Green further acknowledged that, despite the myriad of ongoing activities and the constant pressures from recurring climate events, the success of the project hinges critically on active national participation.

“It is expected that this will allow SVG to implement its ‘Long-Term Readiness Action Plan’ to enhance its national capacity to effectively respond and address the impacts of climate change in a strategic, consultative, participatory, and comprehensive manner with national stakeholders to ensure country buy-in and country ownership,” Green is quoted to have said.

The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and will span a 3-year period, from 2024 – 2027.

Senior economist in the Ministry of Economic Development, Giselle Myers explained that SVG has been receiving financial support from the GCF through the CCCCC since 2017.

The new project increases the total economic value of GCF climate related contributions to US$8 million. “Support to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) continues towards its path of increasing climate resiliency. The full commitment of the NDA and key stakeholders play crucial roles in the execution of the activities and also to strengthen policies for effective delivery of the programme and or projects,” she stated.

Reflecting on the numerous natural disasters that have battered St Vincent and the Grenadines over the past decade, Meyers lamented the relentless and pervasive nature of climate impacts, which affect every sector. These events she said, “depict clearly the urgency for St Vincent and the Grenadines to mobilise climate financing that will support projects to position the country to strengthen adaptation and mitigation efforts and decrease potential devastation”.

She emphasised to stakeholders their role in delivering this readiness project, the sixth of its kind. While Project Development Specialist at the CCCCC, Ahnivar Peralta, Myers said “We are pleased to once again collaborate with the CCCCC as a delivery partner”.

The CCCCC along with the Economic Planning Division of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, and Information Technology will execute the project on behalf of the people and government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. By the project’s conclusion, the institutional, technical and climate finance needs of the Member State are expected to be strengthened, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future, the CCCC states in its release.